Adhesive applying machine



Nov. 14, 1961 E. c. HAUSER ADHESIVE APPLYING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 16. 1959 4 ill EDWARD c. HAUSQER ATT'YS 1961 E. c. HAUSER ADHESIVE APPLYING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 16, 1959 KICKER BOX INVENTOR: EDWARD C. HAUSER M-kg ATT YS N 1961 E. c. HAUSER 3,008,449

ADHESIVE APPLYING MACHINE Filed March 16, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 lNV ENT OR:

EDWARD C. HAUSER ,szwmw ATT'YS Nov. 14, 1961 E. c. HAUSER 3,008,449

ADHESIVE APPLYING MACHINE Filed March 16, 1959 v 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 FlG.5

\ I j I 1f i 1mm? Jl J EDWARD c. HAUSER 52. H ymlaci h ATT'YS 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 .i s $5. $95: /.i 2 u fl E y vy or; Q I V INVENTOR.

ATT'YS Nov. 14, 1961 E. c. HAUSER ADHESIVE APPLYING MACHINE Filed March 16, 1959 ADHESIVE APPLYING MACHINE Edward C. Hauser, Chicago, 111., assignor to Stone Container Corporation, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois 7 Filed Mar. 16, 1959, Ser. No. 799,803 12 Claims. (Cl. 118-212) This invention relates generally to adhesive applying apparatus and particularly, is concerned with improvements in an adhesive applying machine for automatically applying adhesive to predetermined areas of paperboard container blanks passing consecutively through the machine at high speed.

High speed volume production of paperboard or cor- 3,008,449 Patented Nov. 14, 1961 cumstances without sacrificing accuracy and speed of operation.

A fuller comprehension of the achievements of my invention maybe realized from a consideration of some of the distinctive structural means cooperating in the operation of the machine embodying the invention, as follows:

(A) Means for controlling the quantity of adhesive to be applied in a simple and facile manner.

rugated containers may entail a series of automatic cperaa tions which produces a partially assembled container in a generally flattened-out formation ready for final assembly, by users. Such operations may include blanking and scoring, usually by die stamping equipment, on continuous webs of the paperboard materials, and then folding to the partially assembled condition. The individual blank has predetermined fiaps intended to be securedtogether or to mating surfaces of the blank when assembling the containers and in many container structures, adhesive is preferred to be employed as the meansfor securement of said flaps. Obviously, the adhesive must be applied to the desired areas of the blank prior to, the foldingoperation and the desirable practice is to employ a pressure sensitive adhesive which is dried after application thereof (B) Means for precisely applying the adhesive on the desired cur-face areas of the blank, both in the case of either one or both of the surfaces of the blank, as well as the sizes of the respective areas to be adhesive-coated.

(C) Means for preventing adverse change in the consistency of the adhesive While the various adjustments provided for are being made and during temporary shutdown of machine for some reason or other.

(D) Means for selectively adusting the operative position of any one of the adhesive fountain assemblies of the machine to a proper register condition with adhesive applying means of the machine.

(E) A novel adhesive fountain assembly which makes possible convenient loading of the fountain and any cleaning, replacement of adhesive and the like with minimum loss of operation time for the machine.

The foregoing list is not intended to be completesince otherst-ructural features of the machine embodying the invention which cooperate to produce the superlative functions therefor will become apparent from .thed'etailed to the blank so. that theblank can besuccessfully fed through the folding apparatus. Heretofore,-automatic ad-f with desirably small amounts-of i spoilage, especially inv the set-up of the machine for runs of the blanks therethrough and change-over to runs of difierent blanks. This list is not intended to be complete, however, it does indicate the strict requirements for such, a machinewhich heretofore have not been satisfied to any satisfactory degree. r

Accordingly, it is a principal object .of the invention to provide an adhesive applying machine of the character described which is characterized by aconstruction and combination of parts capable of successfully eliminating the foregoing and other, disadvantages which will become apparent from-the ensuing disclosure. An ancilary object is to provide an automatic adhesive 'applying.,machine which .solves a long felt need in the corrugated container industry for'a highly versatile and efiicient Ina-- chine of this type. 7

Where a container structure requires placement of adhesive on predetermined portions of both surfaces'of the blank from which same is formed, it will be appreciated that the problems encountered are even more complicated than attendant the application of adhesive to only one surface of a blank, especially where the places to which adhesive must be applied are heterogeneously arranged on both surfaces'f and cover different areas. Notwithstanding, it is another important object to provide an adhesive applying machine of the character described which is capable of satisfactory operation even under such cirdescription and illustration of theinvention. I

C'ertain other specific objects of'the invention will be seento include provision of an adhesive applying machine of the characterdeScribedhaving novel die means removably securedv on. the drive cylinders thereof for applying adhesive as" an imprint to the paperboard blanks passing therethrough; novel carriage means for the adhesive fountain assemblies for adjusting the position thereof along paths parallel to the axis of the drive cylinders and transverse to the path of movement. of the blanks through the machine; novel carriage means as mentioned heretofore which enables each adhesive fountain assembly to be independently adjusted as to position thereof; an adhesive fountain assembly for the machine which includes novel adhesive feed roller means; and the several means provided which enable advantageous adjustments to be made in the components of the novel roller assembly.

machine which can. operate efficiently and effectively us ing such a pressure-sensitive type of adhesive.

A preferred embodiment of the invention has been de- :scribed in detail and illustrated in the accompanying artisan without. circumvention ofthe principles or' sac-'- drawings to enable the skilled artisan to understand andv practice the principles of the invention. Minor departures from the size, arrangement, proportion and construction of the. several parts thereofmay occur to the skilled rilic'ing any of the advantages of the invention.

In the drawings, wherein the same reference characters have been employed to identify the identical or similar parts of the invention throughout FIG. 1 is a perspective viewof anadhesive applying machine constructed in accordance with the invention and looking toward the end thereof from which the applied the several figures there-' machine in a somewhat diagrammatical representation showing the cooperative relationship between the drive cylinders, roller assembly and die imprinting means carried on said cylinders, this set-up of the machine being suitable for applying adhesive to both surfaces of a blank.

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatical illustration showing the drive connections between the various operating parts of said adhesive applying machine and possible association of the machine with a blank feeding means.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken through the machine along the line 4-4 of FIG. 1 and in the indicated direction.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary top elevational view of an upper adhesive fountain assembly employed in the machine.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary side elevational View of an upper adhesive fountain assembly employed in the machine.

FIG.7 is a sectional view taken along the line 77 of FIG. 1 and in the general direction indicated.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary elevational view showing one end of a lower adhesive fountain assembly on the machine.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along the line 9-9 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view taken of the circular area identified by reference numeral 10 in FIG. 1.

Referring now to the drawings, the adhesive applying machine embodying the invention is designated generally by thereference character 20 in FIG. 1. The supporting framework for the machine is provided by a pair of parallel uprights 21 and 22 which are connected adjacent their bottom ends by suitable cross-members, such as the elongate base plate 23. Thevarious shafts which are journalled at their ends in the uprights as well as other spacer members which may be provided serve to rigidify the framework. The uprights have pairs of oppositely aligned bearings 24 in which the shafts 25 and 26 have their ends respectively journalled, said shafts mounting elongate rolls 27 and '28 which constitute the upper and lower drive cylinder respectively of the machine. Each cylinder preferably is formed as a hollow metallic body and they have their circumferences arranged one relative the other, so that a paperboard blank 29 can be inserted from one side between the bight of the rolls to be discharged on the opposite side in the direction of arrow 30. For this function, the cylinders rotate in opposite direction as indicated by the curved arrows on their ends in FIG. 2.

- As seen in FIG. 2, each cylinder has a pair of adhesive fountain assemblies associated therewith and each such assembly is designated generally by the same reference character .31 because of their substantial identity of con struction. Although four fountain assemblies have been illustrated, it will be appreciated that a lesser or greater number he provided as dictated by the requirements for the machine. As illustrated, the machine is capable of applying adhesive to a plurality of different areas of both surfaces of paperboard blank 29. For purposes of description, the fountain assemblies involved in application of adhesive to the upper surface ofthe blank are referred to as upper fountain assemblies and those involved for adhesive coating of the bottom surface of the blank are referred to as lower founntain assemblies. Each of the upper and lower fountain assemblies includes a roller assembly 32 and a fountain or storage container 33 for adhesive. It is an important feature of the machine that each fountain assembly 31 is independently movable along a path parallel to the axes of the cylinders and normal to the path of movement indicated by arrow 30 so that the lateral position of each adhesive fountain assembly relative a transverse center line through its associated cylinder can be varied selectively.

The function of an adhesive fountain assembly is to withdraw ink from its associated fountain 33 and transfer same to an adhesive imprinting or die member 34 removably afiixed on the circumference of the adjacent cylinder. Each die imprinting means 34 is selectively located on the circumference of the cylinder so as to accurately and precisely apply an adhesive imprint 35 to a predetermined portion of a surface of blank 29 in a single pass through the machine. The operation of the, roller assemblies and the cylinders are synchronized so that all of the desired adhesive imprints 35 are applied to each blank in succession, each blank receiving its adhesive imprints during one complete revolution of the cylinders. Generally, each roller assembly 32 is comprised of a metal roller 36 and rubber roller 37 arranged with their axes parallel and their circumferences engaged one with the other. The roller 36 has its circumference dipping into the body of adhesive in a fountain 33 so that during rotation thereof, said roller Withdraws adhesive from the fountain 33 continuously. Consequently, roller 36 is constituted the adhesive feed means since adhesive coating the circumference therof is fed or transferred to the circumference of a roller 37 with which it is engaged. The roller 37 has its circumference arranged to engage a die member 34 on a cylinder and transfer adhesive thereto during a portion of each revolution of the cylinder. Adhesive transfer to a die member by a roller 37 is effected continuously during the interval between successive imprints applied by a die member.

Referring to FIG.' 3 a suitable drive system for machine 20 is shown. The machine 20 may be operated from an electrical motor 40 the shaft 41 of which is coupled by suitable flexible drive means to a constant speed shaft 42. Motor 40 may be mounted conveniently adjacent upright 21, for instance, so that the various couplings can be made within acompact volume of space. Shaft 42 is connected to a clutch mechanism and variable speed control device indicated collectively at 43. One output shaft of device 43 may be provided mounting a pinion 44 which is coupled to operate a kicker box mechanism 45 of conventional construction. The kicker box mechanism 45 is located at the front end of the machine, that is, the end at which the paperboard blanks are fed to the machine, and is operative to strip individual blanks 29from a pre-arranged stack of blanks and feed them between a pair of pull rolls 38 to the cylinders 27 and 28. A second variable speed shaft 46 from device 43 drives a pinion 46, the connection with device 43 being such that shaft 46 is rotated continuously while motor 40 is operative, however, permitting the shaft mounting pinion 44 to be disconnected from the variable speed control device by means of the clutch provided so that the kicker box mechanism is rendered inoperative without stopping motor-40. This may be desirable where a different blank feeding means is preferred to be used, for instance, without interrupting rotation of pinion 46', which in this system may be referred to as a drive pinion for the machine 20. Pinion 46 is drivingly connected through a gear reduction train 47 to shaft 26 which mounts the lower drive roll 28. The shaft 26 mounts a sprocket wheel 48 (FIG. 1) which is coupled with a sprocket wheel carried on a lower drive shaft 49 by means of the sprocket chain 50. The several roller assemblies of the lower adhesive fountain assemblies are driven from lower drive shaft 49 in a manner to be explained.

'As further seen from'FIG. 3, the upper cylinder 27 mounted on shaft 25 is rotated in a direction opposite that in which the lower cylinder is rotated and at the same a'ngularvelocity, the shaft 25 being coupled by means of sprocket wheel 51 and chain drive 52 to rotate the upper drive shaft 53. All of the upper adhesive fountain assemblies are driven from the upper drive shaft 53 through suitable coupling which will be explained.

Each drive shaft 49 and 53 has a pinion 54 fixed to rotate therewith which is coupled as indicated at 55 to rotate an adhesive feed roller 36. Accordingly, the feed roller 36 of each adhesivefountain assembly which dips into the adhesive fountain rotates continuously as motor 40 is operative. I provide auxiliary drive means for each drive shaft 49 and 53 operable independently of the motor 40 so that when motor 40 is shut down for any reason, the feed roll 36 of each fountain assembly can continue to be rotated to agitate, the adhesive and maintainthe desired consistency therefor. Illustrated in FIG. 3 is an auxiliary drive means 57 for upper drive shaft 53, a similar drive means being contemplated for the lower drive shaft 49 but not shown. Such a drive means 57 may include an auxiliary motor 58 which is coupled by means of an over-running clutch mechanism 58A, for instance, to drive shaft 53. The motor 58 is operated concurrently with motor 40, however, when motor 40 is shut down, motor 58 will continue to drive the upper drive shaft 53 thereby rotating the feed rollers 36 to continue agitation and stirring of the adhesive. l

It will be appreciated that the auxiliary drive means for each drive shaft may be conveniently installed on the machine 20 in any one of a variety of Ways and hence, specific details for mounting same have not been rendered. Further apparent from FIG. 3 is that the pull rolls38 may be conveniently driven from the gear reduction train in any well known manner. The desired synchronization of the various rotatable elements of the system can be achieved through predetermined selection of the gears and sprocket wheelsemployed and hence, no further details will be necessary to the skilled artisan.

Specific structural details of the various components will now be supplied as well as the adjustment means referred to.

Referring to FIG. 1, machine 20 is provided with a pair of upper and lower adhesive fountain assemblies which for purposes of description will'be designated generally 59 and 60 respectively. Each fountain assembly;

59 and 60 includes a bed plate 61- having a pair of stand: ards 62 and 63 vertically arranged at opposite'ends thereof. The plate 61 has a retainer wall'64 upstanding along one longitudinal edge thereof provided with-a medial slot 65 opening to the top edge of said wall. The fountain or storage container 33 is substantially T-shaped to provide a major reservoir portion 66 and a handle portion 67 which in the installed position of the fountain 33 may Each fountain assembly may include rocker support means for the fountain 33 thereof as illustrated by way of example in FIG. 10. Said means may include a pair of independentlymounted rockable platforms 68 'of which oneis shown. Each platform 68 is secured along a longitudinal edge thereof to a rod 69 which is journalled for rotation in the retainer wall' and a bracket'70 up standing from the bed plate. Rod 69 extends transversely across the bed plate and has an end portionexte'rior of wall 64 to which is secured a handle bar 71. Both platforms are spaced apart a suitable distance along the length of the bed plate so that the fountain 33 can be supported thereon at its ends. Either supported end of the fountain may be raised and lowered relative the bed plate by selectively rocking a handle bar71 to the position shown in broken outline 72 thereby making it possible to agitate the adhesive in the fountain. It will be appreciated that removal'and installation of a fountain can easily be accomplished since'the reservoir portion is easily moved past the upper end of retainer wall 64. f

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 9, each adhesive fountain 59" is removably installed an a carriage 72 which is reciprocable in a direction'transverse to the direction of movement of the blanks. As seen in FIG. 9 where the fountain assembly has been removed, each carriage 72 consists of an open, rectangular framework formed of a pair of upright, parallel side frames each provided by a pair of angle irons 73, a bottom plate or wall 74 connected between the lower'ends of the side frames and a pair of angle irons 75 connected between the upper'ends of the side frames. Upstanding lugs 76 are provided on the upper surface of wall 74 for properly positioningand holding the adhesive fountain assembly on plate 74. The angle irons 73 of each side frame are connected at their upper ends by a spacer 77. Each carriage is hung from an I-beam 78 supported at its ends by brackets 79 secured on the upper ends of uprights 21 and 22, as best seen in FIG. 1.

To guide movement of the carriage 72, two pairs of vertically spaced, elongate guide rails 80 are provided by one leg of each angle iron 75 and one leg of a second angle iron 81 secured between the side frames by means of the spacers 77 parallel to and above each of the angle irons 75. The opposite longitudinal edges of the upper cross-member 82 of the beam 78 are received between the guide rails 80 so that the carriage is supported from the beam for movement along the length thereof. The angle irons 73 are longer than the height of the I-beam so that bottom plate 74 is spaced below the beam a substantial distance permitting installation of the fountain assembly between the side frames and supported on bottom' wall 74.

An elongate rack 83 is secured on the cross-member 82. A bearing frame 84 is installed on the angle irons 81 having oppositely aligned bearings 86 in which is journalled a shaft 87 carrying a pinion gear 88 intermediate the ends thereof meshed with the rack 83. The

shaft 87 has a protruding end towhich i securedalhand" wheel 89 by means of which the shaft 87 can be rotated to translate the carriage 72 in either direction along the rack It will be understood that a carriage 72 is provided for each'upper adhesive fountain 59 on the machine and that each fountain assembly therefore will be translatable along the length of the I-beam 78 independently of the others. This permits each fountain assembly to be independently adjusted to any one of a plurality of desired operative positions.

The bottom fountain assemblies '60 likewise are installed for independent movement one relative the other in the same direction as the upper fountain assemblies. Referring to FIGS. '7 and 8, each fountain assembly 60' is supported on a carriage plate 90 having depending blocks 91 slidably mounted on a pair of elongate parallel rods 92. The rods92 are supported on upstandingsupporting blocks 93 upon the elongate plate 23. An elongate rack 94 is secured on the base-plate 23 parallel to the rods 92. Each carriage plate has a pinion bearing 95 for a pinion 96 arranged to mesh with the rack 94 and a crank 97 is provided for rotating-each pinion 96 to translate the carriage 60 in either direction along the rack. Carri-age'plate 90 also has a plurality of lugs 98 extending upwardly from the upper surface thereof which are engaged in suitable sockets provided in the underside ofthe bed plate 61 for properly positioning the fountain assembly and preventing inadvertent shifting thereof relative the carriage plate. The upstanding lugs 99 (FIG. 8)

engage the opposite ends of plate 90' to prevent;tr-ansverse-shifting thereof.

Although notspecifically shown, suitable locking means 37. Roller 36 is a metal cylinder having annular, spaced apart grooves 100 from end to end in the circumference thereof (FIG. The grooves 100' facilitate withdrawal of adhesive from the fountain as the roller 36 rotates in the adhesive as well as uniform transfer thereof to the adhesive transfer roller 37. The roller 37 has a rubber circumference which holds the adhesive thereon and facilitates transfer of adhesive to the die means 34. Each roller 36 and 37 is installed in the roller assembly in a manner permitting certain advantageous adjustments one relative the other as well as others which will be described hereinafter.

In the case of an upper fountain assembly 59, the roller 36 is carried on a shaft 101 the ends of which protrude from the end faces of the cylinder. The shaft ends are journalled in suitable bearing housings 102 provided on one end of each of a pair of holder arms 103 suitably aligned one with the other, the arms 103- each being fixedly mounted at its opposite end on a stub shaft 104 journalled in a bearing block. Each standard 62 and 63 has a block secured to the inside surface thereof so that the roller 36 is unitary with the fountain and disposed to permit its circumference to rotate in the adhesive of a fountain 33. Adjustment of the roller 36 relative the adhesive fountain is provided by means of a pinion 1M eccentrically mounted on a shaft 104 which is meshed with a'worm gear 108 on one end of the stem 109. The stem 109 is supported on the fountain assembly by a bracket 110 and has a knurled head 111 at the opposite end thereof for facilitating rotation of the worm gear. Rotation of the eccentric pinion 107 will raise or lower the roller 36 to control the amount of adhesive withdrawn from the fountain. This adjustment can be made without stopping the machine. One such eccentric adjustment means is provided for each upper fountain assembly.

Secured to the end of each 'arrnr1ti3 on which a roller 36 is journalled is a bracket 112 having an upstanding lug 113. Pivotally supported at 114 on each bracket is a bearing housing 115' in which the shaft 116 mounting rubber roller 37 is journalled. Each bearinghousing has an upstanding lug 117 aligned with a lug 113. The threaded shank of an adjusting bolt 118 has a reduced diameter end 119 which is rotatably secured in a suitable opening in each lug 113, the threaded shank extending through a threaded opening in the aligned lug 117 and provided with a knurled head 120 at its opposite end for rotating the bolt 118. As seen in FIG. 4, by advancing and retracting the bolts 11%, the bearing housings 115 will be pivoted about pivot 114 relative both the feed r011 36 and the adjacent cylinder 27. Adjustment in this manner is permitted without shutting down the machine. By movement of the rubber roller relative feed roller 36, selective control of the amount of adhesive transferred to the adhesive transfer roller 37 can be controlled. Adjustment of roller 37 relative upper cylinder 27 makes possible control of the amount of adhesive transferred to a die member 34.

Since the upper fountain assemblies are each movable independently of the other, means for coupling the'roller assembly thereof in each position to the upper drive shaft is provided. As seen in FIG. 1, the upper drive shaft 53 is journalled for rotation in bearings 121 provided in the brackets 79. Referring to FIG. 4, journalled in an angle bracket 122 fixedly secured on each carriage 72 is a pinion 54 so that each pinion moves with its associated carriage 72. A sleeve 123 fixed on the bracket has the drive shaft extended therethrough as seen in FIG. 9. The drive shaft 53 is splined to each pinion as indicated at 124, so that each pinion 54 is free to move axially along the drive shaft with movement of the carriage 72 with which it is associated. Each pinion 54 is meshed with an idler pinion 55 mounted on one end of a shaft 125 journalled between the standards 62 and 63 of an upper adhesive assembly which in turn is coupled with a pinion 126 on shaft 101 mounting the adhesive feed roller 36 of the assembly.

Pinion 126 also is meshe-d withapinion 127 mountedon supporting shaft 116 for the adhesive transfer roller .37 of the assembly. The pinions 54, 55, 126 and 127 are" all arranged with their axes parallel and are all arranged in a commonvertical plane exterior of the standard 63 as seen in FIG. 5, of an upper adhesive assembly. All of these pinions are movable together with movement of the carriage with which associated. Also, each upper fountain assembly can be readily removed from and replaced on its carriage since pinions 54 and 55 arereadily engaged or disengaged. It will be appreciated that the adjustments made to rollers 36 and 37 involved small distances of movement thereof so that there is no problem of maintaining the gearing connection therebetween and with the drive shaft. Although not shown, the axis of rotation of pinion 55 also can be adjust-able by means of an ancwate bearing in standards 62 and 63 for the shaft 125.

Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8, the functions provided for the upper fountain assemblies 59 are repeated for each lower fountain assembly. As a result substantially the same arrangement of parts for an assembly 59 is provided for each of the assemblies 60 with the exception of-necessary modification because of the position thereof below the bottom cylinder 28. Thus, each roller 36 is journalled at ends of the bearing housing arms 103 each fixedly mounted on a stub shaft 104 journalled in bearing blocks on the standards 62 and 63. The pinion 107 eccentrically mounted on a shaft 104' is engaged by a worm gear 108 journalled in the bracket which can be selectively rotated by the knurled nut 111 to move the roller 36 relative its associated fountain.

The arms 103' are somewhat differently shaped than those considered in the upper fountain assembly, however, each has an upwardly directed bracket-like extension 130 adjacent the bearing housing for the roller 36-which is pivotally connected to one arm 131 of a bearing yoke member 132 for the shaft 116' mounting the roller 37. The second leg 133 of the yoke member has an adjustable connection with the extension 130 by means of the bolt 134 threadedly connected therebetween so that retracting or advancing of the bolt 134 by means of the head 135 will pivot the roller 37 relative to the lower cylinder 28. This permits adjustment and control of the amount of adhesive transferred to the die member 34. The lower drive shaft 49 is journalled in suitable bearings, such as 136 seen in the lower right hand corner of FIG. 1. As seen in FIG. 7, the lower drive shaft 49 has splined thereon a drive pinion 54, there being one drive pinion 54 for each lower fountain assembly 60. Each pinion is movable axially along the drive shaft and is adapted to be engaged with an idler pinion 55- which in turn is meshed with pinion 126' on shaft 101' mounting roller 36. The idler pinion 55' is suitably journalled in a bearing plate 137 secured by bolts 138 to a standard 62 or 63. The pinion 126' is engaged with the pinion 127 mounted on shaft 116' so that the rollers 36 and 37 are rotated simultaneously. The drive pinion 54 can be moved along. the drive shaft 49 to a position aligned with an idler pinion 136 at each position to which a lower fountain assembly is adjusted.

The die members 34 each comprise rubber pads which are secured on the circumference of the upper or lower cylinders or both, as required by the adhesive operation contemplated. A suitably strong adhesive is all that is required toaffix a rubber die 34 on the metal cylinder. The dies are-readily removable and their placement is possible within a great range of different positions. The

size and configuration of the die member used will determine the size and configuration of the imprint transferred to the paperboard blank. 'Their placement on either of u the cylinders is such that they will be aligned with the,

adhesive transfer rollers 37 each to receive adhesive therefrom. This is possible because all of the adhesive formtain assemblies are independently movable along paths parallel to the axes of the cylinders 27 and 28.

Referring to FIG. 4,each upper fountain assembly has doctor means supported between the standards which assists in maintaining a uniform coating of adhesive on the roller 36 as well as removing excessive quantities of adhesive thereof. Such devices are familiar, the embodiment thereof in the machine 20 including an elongate holder 140 for; the doctor for scraper blade 41. The holder 140 is suitably secured between the standards and has a plurality of upstanding channel formations 142 and 143, there being pairs of channels formations 142 and 143 aligned along the length of the holder 140. The cross-member 144 of a T-boltis journalled in the formation 142. and the long leg 145 thereof is passed upwardly between the legs of formation 142 and extended through'a finger 146 where it's'free end has a nut 147 screwed thereon in' engagement 'with said finger. The doctor 141 is generally an elongate, L-shaped member, one leg thereof being engaged by the finger 146. This leg also has depending lugs 148 pivotally connected to formations 143 on the holder so that by taking up on the nut 147, the pressure exerted against the finger 146 will cause the doctor 141 to pivot on the formations 143 so that its second leg 149 can be selectively positioned relative the circumference of the roller 36.

The lower fountain assemblies likewise may each be provided with doctor means for the roller 36 thereof which from their detailed description with respect to the upper fountain assemblies will be readily understood by the skilled artisan, and hence no other details will be supplied.

In conclusion, reference again to FIGS. 1 and 2. will show that the invention enables, the adhesive fountain assemblies, either upper or lower, to be selectively positioned to transfer adhesive to rubber dies 34 on both cylinders 27 and 28. Movement of the fountain assemblies independently parallel to the axes of said cylinders by means of wheels 89 or cranks 97 provides for great flexibility of operation since the die members are easily positioned on the cylinders for applying the imprints 35 on either or both surfaces of the blank 29. In addition, the various adjustments with respect to the rollers 36 and 37 also are possible to control the adhesive supply both to roller 37 and the die members 34. These adjustments are possible rapidly while the machine is running so that spoilage during set-up of the machine is reduced substantially. Removal and replacement of the fountain assemblies from their supporting carriages is simple to accomplish. Supplying adhesive tothe fountains 33 is also a simple matter because said fountains are removable without dismantling of the fountain assembly. The foregoing and other functions permitted by the novel cooperating structure forming the machine 20 all eliminate the unsatisfactory results realized from prior machines of this type.

What it is desired to secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. Apparatus for applying adhesive to predetermined surface areas of individual paperboard members passed consecutively through the apparatus including, upper and lower elongate cylinders journalled for rotation in opposite directions at substantially the same angular velocity and arranged to receive each said member in succession between the circumferential surfaces thereof and discharge the same in a direction transverse to the axes of rotation thereof, die imprinting means secured on the circumference of each cylinder arranged to frictionally engage against said areas on the top and bottom surfaces of each member, an upper adhesive fountain assembly, a lower adhesive fountain assembly, each assembly including an adhesive fountain and a roller assembly operdie means.

1U areas of a member as an imprint during a complete revolution of the cylinders, said assemblies each being independently movable along apath substantially parallel to said axes of rotation to a position coincident with'a 2. Apparatus as described in claim 1 in which' each roller assembly includes an adhesive feed roller and adhesive transfer roller, said feed roller is mounted for rotation inthe adhesive fountain'and auxiliary drive means is operably connected with said roller assembly to continue rotation of the feed roller in the fountain when the machine is rendered inoperative.

3. Apparatus as described in claim 1 in which each dependently adjusting the position of each roller relative the other without rendering said drive means inoperative.

4. Apparatus as described in claim 1 in which the die means each comprise a rubber-like flat member substantially identical in size and configuration of a said predetermined surface area.

5. Apparatus as described in claim 1 in which said apparatus includes an upper and lower drive shaft parallel with said axes of rotation and drivingly connected with said drive means, each drive shaft having an axially movable drive pinion connected to operate a said roller assembly in any position to which its associated fountain assembly is moved.

6. Apparatus as described in claim 5 in which each roller assembly has a feed roller rotatable in the fountain of the fountain assembly, and auxiliary drive means is operably connect with said roller assembly to continue rotation of the feed roller after the first drive means are rendered inoperative.

7. Apparatus as described in claim 1 in which there is a carriage for each fountain assembly, the fountain assembly is removably secured on the carriage and the carriage has a rack and pinion connection with the machine for moving same along a said path independently of the other fountain assemblies, each fountain assembly includes a bed plate having a wall upstanding along an edge thereof, said Wall having a passageway opening to the upper edge thereof and the fountain thereof is removably supported on said bed plate accessible through said passageway.

8. Apparatus as described in claim 7 in which the fountain comprises a generally T-shaped trough member having a portion thereof accessible through said passageway.

9. In structure as described in claim 8 in which means are provided for adjusting the position of said one roller relative said fountain and means are provided for adjusting said second roller relative said one cylinder independently of the adjustment means of said one roller, both said last mentioned means being operable independently.

of operation of said machine.

10. In combination with an adhesive applying machine of the character described including upper and lower elongated cylinders journalled for rotation on the machine in opposite directions at the same angular velocity and drive means connected to rotate said cylinders, a pair of rubber-like die members adhesively secured on each of said cylinders, a pair of upper adhesive fountain assemblies slidably mounted adjacent the upper cylinder for independent movement one relative the other along a path parallel to the axis of rotation of the upper cylinder, a pair of lower adhesive fountains slidably mounted adjacent the lower cylinder for independent movement one relative the other along a path parallel to the axis of the lower cylinder, drive means including a source of power connected to rotate said cylinders, each fountain assem bly including a fountain member removably supported thereon and a roller assembly comprised of at least a pair of rollers connected to be rotated by said drive means,

11 i one of said rollers arranged to rotate in the adhesive in the fountain member and transfer adhesive to the second roller, the second roller arranged to transfer adhesive thereon to a die member whereby the machine is operative to apply adhesive imprints to desired areas of both surfaces of a paperboard member passed between the bight of the cylinders;

11. The combination as described in claim 10 in which each said one roller is drivingly connected to said drive means, and auxiliary drive means is drivingly connected to each said one roller operative to continue rotation of the one roller when the drive means is rendered inoperative.

12. The combination as described in claim 10 in which said drive means includes a shaft rotated at a constant speed, a variable speed control device coupled to said shaft, a first output shaft and clutch means coupling said 12 output shaft to said device, a second output shaft from said device drivingly connected to rotate said cylinders, said first output shaft adapted to be disconnected from the clutch without interrupting rotation of said second output shaft. Y Y

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